After going down by the same margin on Tuesday to Suffolk, the side needed a win over Derbyshire to keep alive hopes of a swift return to Group One but instead, need at least one more victory from the remaining ties to secure their Group Two status.

Derbyshire made a strong start to the match, leading 2-1 after the first round; skipper Barry Fulcher and Nicky Crawley picking up a win.

Tom Spinks and Dan Wynne made it 2-2 but Derbyshire picked up two more rubbers in round two to lead 4-2.

Richard Bloomfield and Harry Weeds reduced the arrears, but losses for the other pairs gave Derbyshire their deserved victory.

Two teams will be relegated from Group Two and Norfolk must win against East of Scotland or Yorkshire today and Friday respectively to avoid the drop. East of Scotland have lost their opening three ties.

Norfolk’s women have also been in Summer County Cup action, in Eastbourne, and after two days of frustration in which everything went against them they turned the corner in Group Two yesterday.

Playing against Yorkshire they showed just what they are capable of, recording a convincing 7-2 win.

Norfolk’s first pair of Olivia Nicholls and Amy Partridge steamrollered their opponents. Lucy Brooks and Karen Highfield beat the Yorkshire first pair in an edgy encounter and Maddy Brooks and Pippa Horn made it a clean sweep after round one. After another round it was 5-1 and the match was won. Sam Noble replaced Pippa Horn and won in three sets, partnering Maddie Brooks.